UNIONVILLE, Mo. - Putnam County girls basketball coach Craig DeVore expressed confidence in his squad Friday night after the Midgets dropped their second tough game in as many nights, this time to Clark County, 51-45, at the PC Border War Tournament.

The Midgets led 40-32 after scoring the opening basket of the fourth quarter, but scored just five points the rest of the way.

“We’re going to be fine,” DeVore said. “It’s just a matter of us getting going and getting everyone well again.”

It was another difficult loss to swallow after a two-point defeat a night early to Schuyler County. In that game, the Midgets turned the ball over 31 times and missed key free throws down the stretch.

“I still think we’re going to be the team to beat in the conference,” DeVore said. “I don’t care what anybody says.”

Clark County’s Mishaylee Cline knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer in the first quarter, igniting a 16-2 run that put the visitors up 24-17.

But the Midgets closed the half with an 8-1 spurt and controlled the game after the break, steadily building what topped out at a 40-32 lead early the fourth quarter. Putnam County used strong defense to shut down Clark County, and took the ball to the basket on the offensive end, with seven of their baskets coming on layups.

A combination of foul trouble, illness and a roster still hampered by injuries, plus inspired play from Clark County down the stretch, turned things south for the Midgets.

“It’s been rough for us,” DeVore said.

“This group of girls, it’s almost like if you take one cog out the wheel quits spinning.”

Cline led Clark County with 15 points. Samantha Shipley led all scorers with 19 points. Dakoda Owings and Kaisee Perkins each had 10 for the Midgets.